Tuesday, April 25, 2017

The 5 worst US cities for allergy sufferers

April 25,2017, 1:10:24PM,EDT

While many Southeastern cities top the list for worst cities for
allergy sufferers, there are many factors, such as weather patterns and
native plants, that go into deciding the worst allergy locations around
the country.

According to the Center for Disease Control, more
than $18 billion is spent on nasal allergy health costs annually for
more than 50 million Americans who suffer from symptoms.
The worst locations for allergies in the U.S. were ranked by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America during fall of 2016:
1. Jackson, Mississippi2. Memphis, Tennessee3. Syracuse, New York4. Louisville, Kentucky5. McAllen, Texas
The
cities on the list were picked due to the length of allergy seasons. A
longer warm season, with an earlier start to spring and a later end to
warmth in fall, extends the growing season for allergen-producing plants
in much of the Southeast.
"Cities such as those listed above are
likely particularly bad due to a combination of what grows there based
on climate and the weather," said Seth Hollander, chief medical officer
for Greater Austin Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Pollen particles have to go airborne in high enough quantities to affect people.
"Airborne
pollens are the pollens that cause the greatest problem for allergy
sufferers. Plants that have airborne pollens rely on air currents to
disperse the pollen," said David Shulan, a certified asthma and allergy
consultant based in Albany, New York.

(Alkimson/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

He said plants that have large
flowers usually need to have insects carry the relatively heavy pollen
because they tend to stay put and cause fewer allergies.
Low humidity, dry conditions and gentle breezes favor airborne pollen dispersal, experts agree.
It’s
best to wait until the later morning or evening to go outside due to
pollen levels. In the afternoon winds pick up, so wind-pollinated plants
cause the most problems for allergy sufferers. RELATED: 5 hacks to keep outdoor allergy symptoms at bay this springHow to control your allergiesHacks to mitigate outdoor seasonal allergies
Rain helps to lower pollen levels,
but rain also helps the plants grow and produce more pollen. Not as many
pollen-producing plants grow in drier places due to a lack of water and
the presence of hot weather.
Shulan said weather can significantly affect pollen levels due to the effects on plant growth as well.
"In
the northern part of the country, snow and damp conditions in the
winter followed by a dry spring favors increased pollen production by
trees," Shulan said.
However, a warm spell during budding season
followed by very cold conditions can damage buds and reduce pollen
production, according to Shulan.
Scientists and doctors have yet
to find a way to entirely prevent allergies, but being proactive,
avoiding allergens as much as possible and managing symptoms can help
sufferers have a better quality of life.
Doctors recommend
checking the Air Quality Index before leaving your home to see how
polluted the air is in your area. Try to avoid places or situations that
can cause an asthma attack or allergic reactions.
It is important to get tested so you know what you’re allergic to and what to avoid.